Historically Grandmasters often trained in several arts while
teaching only their core art, we recognize that even with
Hapkido as the center of your training, it is important to
recognize other sources that influence self defense
techniques. To meet the Grandmasters that have taught us
Hapkido, click on the link above.
The United States
has added methods of defensive tactics training for law
enforcement and seen the clear definition of pressure point
techniques from George Dillman as well as being perhaps the
major market for Hapkido instruction in the world today.
Korea is the
birthplace of Hapkido whether one means the Hapkido of
Grandmaster Choi Yong Sool or the Hapkido of Grandmaster Ji
Han Jae and some of his most famous students Grandmaster Bong
Soo Han and Grandmaster Kwang-Sik Myung. Please see the
history page for more information about the roots of Hapkido.
Japan is recognized
as one of the sources of Hapkido flowing from Daito-Ryu
Aiki-Jutsu.
The Philippines have
contributed the weapons arts called variously arnis, kali, and
escrima. While the symbol above does not have flags for
Indonesia or Malaysia, there are pieces of other southeast
Asia martial arts that have come to all of us through Pencak
Silat that should not be overlooked. Hapkido practice can be
enhanced by having an open mind and seeing how what is taught
from another culture can be adapted to fit into a Hapkido
framework.
China may very well
have played a role in the development of Hapkido with both
Chin Na and Shuai Chiao though their relationship, if any to
Hapkido is lost in the mists of ancient history.
These cultures and
martial arts all have had an influence of the development of
Modern Hapkido.
